Many questions, few answers at Cedar Rapids schools’ Freshman Academy meeting

On Dec. 2, Cedar Rapids Community School District representatives hosted the first of three informational meetings regarding the freshman academies and academic pathways coming to the district. As it progressed, parents and concerned citizens became increasingly frustrated with non-answers delivered by the speakers.

After over an hour of presentations and borderline demeaning group activities, there was little time left for questions from the audience. That segment of the meeting was even cut three minutes short of the allocated time.

Questions were submitted to speakers on notecards, but tension rose as community members began to shout out questions when they did not receive adequate answers. One parent asked if transportation would be provided for students who open-enroll in other high schools. Adam Zimmermann, CRCSD Executive Director of Innovation, responded only with “yes.” A chorus of “how?” followed as presenters were unable to elaborate with a plan of action.

As a student, I have learned that simple “yes” and “no” answers are not acceptable in a professional setting, but that was what members of our community received. Questions regarding topics like Metro High School and funding were posed but never addressed.

As a whole, communication and the involvement of the community regarding district wide decisions have been deplorable. The only time parents have been allowed input was in a postmortem bond survey after the November 2023 bond vote. Of nearly 60,000 surveys sent out, only around 9,000 were received back by the district. That’s 15%.

We learn in our statistics classes that voluntary response surveys are inaccurate and a poor way to gather information. These distorted results are the basis on which pathway subjects were chosen for each school. Many in the community feel they were not informed on the effects this survey would have on the future of the district.

In fact, a lack of transparency seems to be a theme. In a 2022 survey from Superintendent Tawana Grover’s past district, Grand Island Public Schools (GIPS), 77.3% of teachers rated her a one out of five on honesty and transparency when discussing district staffing issues. Also, 53.1% of teachers rated their former superintendent a one on being a strong and positive leader, with 33.2% of those polled following with a rating of a two.

A decision has been made without thorough consulting of those affected. Parents are confused about why the district is making such radical changes after GIPS reduced or cut a number of changes made by Grover following her resignation. Where is the evidence from a comparable district these pathways will help students? Why is this change coming all at once? When such questions are posed, the community receives empty sentiments full of buzzwords rather than facts.

As a journalist, I ask questions. It’s my job to be curious, to dig deeper, to understand — and I can confidently say our community is being left in the dark. Our questions are going unanswered and our concerns are going unaddressed. Everyone in our community should ask themselves: is this worth it?

Sonja Woerner, is a senior at Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids. She is the editor-in-chief of Torch, Kennedy’s student-produced news service, where this article was originally published on Dec. 3.